I believe a common misconception that many religious people hold is thinking
that wisdom can only be found in their own tradition. Jews read the writings of
other Jews, Christians read the writings of other Christians, Buddhists read the
writings of other Buddhists. In fact, sometimes within a faith, people limit
their study to those who agree with them. Orthodox Jews and liberal Jews often
do not read each other’s teachings; evangelical Christians and liberal
Christians feel they have nothing to teach one another. When we limit our
reading to our own, we are closing our minds.

========

Ah-men!

...and left leaning Mormons are shunned and castigated by
right leaning Mormons.

I had the pleasure to photograph inter-faith presentations/discussions with
Rabbi Schneider noted in the linked article while I lived in Dallas. He is a
remarkable individual who took time answering questions from LDS and Muslim
guests at their synagogue in Alpha Rd. It was nice to see that he also now has
had the experience of such a similar experience in an LDS Temple in his new city
of service. Good man - Shalom !

The rabbi's comment about "arguing with God" was very interesting
to me. It reminds me of what I learned as a kid from a wise old woman: that
religion, at its foundation, is more about growth than obedience.

If you have not heard current LDS leaders, including Thomas S.
Monson and Gordon B. Hinckley make comments in this vein, you are just not
listening. It is a common and recurring theme in Conference talks, and has been
for some time.

Well said. Some Mormons ventilate too much about others who don't regard
them as Christians. It shouldn't matter what other Christians think or say.
It's more important for Mormons to accept them as fellow Christians without
regard to theological differences. That's more in the true spirit of what
Jesus taught us.

I'm not sure we're still on the subject. But it seems to me the last
sentence of the 13th Article of Faith answers some of the concerns expressed in
earlier comments: "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report
or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." Those can be found in people
in all walks of life. The counterpoint of that is our desire to share with
others the worthy aspects of the LDS Faith, which is one of the purposes of
pre-dedication temple tours.

OMM and Craig Clark should read the New Testament and the 13th Article of faith
and read or listen to the Conference as cval suggested.

With regards
to CC's comment: "It's more important for Mormons to accept them
as fellow Christians without regard to theological differences. That's more
in the true spirit of what Jesus taught us."

CC needs to read
the rebukes Jesus gave the Saducees and the Pharisees and anybody that did not
agree with Him. He called them hypocrites. That's not very Christian, is
it? Also, God, or Jesus, sent the flood to destroy the wicked. That's not
very "Christian" either.

CC is right though, Jesus did teach
us to love one another and forgive one another but He did not teach us to
embrace each other's doctrine. If I have mis-interpreted your comment,
I'm sorry.

Unless you believe in syncretic religion I do not think it makes much sense to
read the texts of other religions for the sake of better understanding your own.
Not because their beliefs are invalid but because you may very well begin to
belief something that your religion officially opposes and that simply does not
fit.

I do think studying other world views is important and I
encourage everyone to do so. I just believe that consistency is very very
important. I believe that inconsistent beliefs put stress on the believers and
that is unhealthy behavior.